DCF Highlights State’s Mental Health Resources in Honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

For Immediate Release: September 25, 2025
Contact: @email


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Yesterday, during the Statewide Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council quarterly meeting, the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) highlighted the state's robust mental health resources in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, September 2025. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month presents an opportunity to emphasize our interconnected roles as a community in suicide prevention and our potential for impact. By building awareness, learning and sharing the risk factors and warning signs, promoting resiliency, decreasing stigmas, and sharing available resources, we send a powerful message that you are not alone and every life has value.

The Department's Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council consists of 31 representatives from state agencies, regional suicide prevention coalitions, non-profits, and others dedicated to developing,
implementing, and measuring outcomes related to strategies to raise awareness, prevent suicide, and build resiliency. Whether it's reflecting on the impacts of existing collective efforts like the 988 Florida Lifeline and supports for veterans or exploring new opportunities to target resources for populations such as farmers and ranchers, the disability community or individuals impacted by human trafficking, the message they and other leaders send is clear - you are not alone, and help is available.

Mental Well-Being
Suicide prevention begins with connection. Staying engaged with community, social groups, family, friends, and religious groups provides a foundation of support that can make all the difference. These connections foster resilience, create a sense of belonging, and remind us that no one has to face their challenges alone. Each of us has the power to play a role in supporting mental well-being by reaching out, listening, offering hope and providing connection to resources. Your support can make a significant difference for someone who is thinking of suicide. We call on Floridians to "Be the One," the one to check in, the one to extend a hand, the one to ask the question, and the one to help someone know their life matters.

Recognize the Signs
Your awareness can make a difference. If you see warning signs such as changes in behavior, like withdrawing from loved ones, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, increased substance use, and impulsive behavior -start by expressing care and concern. Listen without judgment, give them space to share, and let them know they are not alone. Offer to connect them with professional help or trusted resources that can be the critical step toward safety and recovery.

You're Not Alone
If you or a loved one need mental health support or are in a crisis, help is available. Call, text, or chat the 988 Florida Lifeline 24-hours a day, seven days a week to be connected with a mental health
professional for free, confidential support which includes a specific peer support path for Veterans by calling 988 and pressing 1.
In Fiscal Year 2024-25, the 988 Florida Lifeline received 144,981 calls, in which 96 percent were
resolved without need for higher-level intervention, and all 1,374 of total calls made during an active suicide attempt in progress, resulted in each individual making it to the next level of care alive.

"With partners from organizations such as 'Mind Your Melons' that remind us of the importance of shining light on topics that can sometimes stay in the shadows, under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and Lieutenant Governor Collins, in the sunshine state, we work together to do just that through our suicide prevention efforts," said Taylor N. Hatch, Secretary of the Florida Department of Children and Families. "In partnership, we unify around the fundamental belief that every life is valuable, we utilize guiding principles of courage and compassion to continue the work to deliver on our shared responsibility and opportunity to deepen connections to community, elevate awareness, and bolster supports that foster resiliency."
"Health includes more than physical well-being - prioritizing mental and spiritual health is essential," said State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD. "Floridians are resilient. Suicide prevention efforts are invaluable to ensure resources are available to those in need."

"Suicide prevention is a national issue which requires a community response, and Florida sets the standard for identifying underlying issues and providing appropriate mental health and other resources," said James S. Hartsell, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs. "Thanks to initiatives supported by Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, we've provided hands-on awareness training to our State and County Veterans' Service Officers who interact daily with the Veteran community. Although the number of Veteran suicides is down in Florida, we cannot as a
community rest on our laurels."

"Suicide Prevention Awareness Month provides a great opportunity to amplify awareness of the warning signs as well as resources available to ensure no one has to suffer alone," said Shevaun Harris, Secretary, Agency for Health Care Administration. "Our Agency is committed to adopting evidenced-based policy that supports access to a wide array of services for individuals contending with a mental illness. We are grateful for the leadership of Governor DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis in championing robust investments in Florida's behavioral health system and all our providers and partners that play a role every day in offering compassionate care and hope."

"To combat human trafficking at the intersection of suicide awareness and prevention, it takes leaders, community members, survivors, and even family members and friends associated, to start
conversations like these at the Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council Quarterly Meeting where we pull a dynamic group of people who have lived experience, education, and the resources to create more informed and safer communities," said Alicia Tappan, Founder of Survivor-Led Solutions.

"My hope is for people to recognize that they are not alone and there is always someone to talk to. It's important to encourage willingness and comfortability in order to utilize the resources available and have those tough conversations," said Marshal Sewell, Co-founder of Mind your Melon. "One of the best ways to fight something in the shadows it to bring light to it. Let's err on the side of preventative, proactive, and protective."

To learn more about the Florida Department of Children and Families' suicide prevention efforts and the 988 Florida Lifeline, visit MyFLFamilies.com/SuicidePrevention and 988FloridaLifeline.com.

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